This was inevitable...

Look out, because I am about to join the ubiquitous masses of people who start raving like lunatics as soon as September hits...

Because PUMPKIN SPICE!

There's a good reason why there's pumpkin spice everything in the fall - it's freaking delicious. I don't think I can be friends with anyone who disagrees on that point. But I do think it's just a little bit sad that we tend to get so sick of pumpkins and cinnamon that by thanksgiving nobody really wants to eat pumpkin pie, don't you? Only a little, though, because pumpkin is so awesomely versatile that it would be a crime to not take advantage of  it while it's in season.

So. At the beginning of each week, I chuck a lot of stuff into my crock pot and make breakfasts for the week. (I didn't get it done last week and every morning it made me weep a little bit to have to actually make breakfast...but I discovered some fun alternatives to the crock pot breakfast that I will post in here another day.) This week's crock pot breakfast offering is...yup, you guessed it. And it's gonna go great with my brewed pumpkin spice coffee (which is just coffee with pumpkin pie spices thrown in with the ground beans).

**I may get hit by lightning for saying this but I am actually not a PSL fan. Sorry, Starbucks - sweetening coffee is against my religion.

Pumpkin Power Oatmeal
This stuff is magic - it makes my mornings a happy place, and while it's cooking it smells amazing.

1 cup steel-cut oats
1 can pumpkin purée
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup chia seeds
1/2 cup hemp hearts
1/2 cup buckwheat
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 diced apple
1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
2 tbsp cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla
Pinch of cloves

Toss it all into the crockpot and cook on low until it's done (I'm very scientific that way). Usually about 4 hours, depending on how chewy you like your oatmeal. It'll keep for a week or so in the fridge...IF it lasts that long. Et voila, you have breakfasts for the week! Serve it up with Greek yogurt (I'm a fan of plain but you can always use vanilla if you want it sweeter)...OR:

Are you ready? Here's where the awesomeness hits the fan: if you have extra time and want something a little different, cut your oatmeal 1/2 and 1/2 with eggs or egg whites, whisk it up and fry them like pancakes. BOOM.